…As Founder rewards excellence
“Over the years, there have been various awards in the secular entertainment industry, but no one has remembered those in the evangelism sector, though we Christians believe that our reward is in heaven. Nevertheless, Apostle Paul enjoined Timothy to double the reward of Church leaders who excel in their assignment, to motivate them.”
These were the words of Commander C.O.C. Nze, Founder/ President, African Christian Movies/Music Awards (ACMA) while delivering his Welcome Address at the 2021 edition of African Christian Movies/Music Awards held last Sunday at Alpha and Omega Hall, Lumen Christi Television House, Lekki, Lagos.
Nze disclosed that ACMA is designed to recognize, and reward excellence, as well as celebrate creativity and promote Christian values in the entertainment industry in Africa, and above all, it is meant to promote ecumenism. Quoting him, “It is meant to recognise and reward those in the value chain of Christian entertainment productions, which includes musicians, actors, producers, directors, comedians, distributors and individuals whose lives have impacted positively on humanity.
“Since ACMA came on board, we have achieved moderate success in terms of reach. Currently, ACMA has representatives from the following African countries, namely; Togo, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. We remain grateful to these our African brothers who believe in this vision, and we pray that one day ACMA will be hosted in these countries.”
Speaking on previous awards, Nze said: “Our first outing was held in 2018 and it recorded moderate success, and we had hoped that the 2019 edition would surpass the first edition, but our effort did not yield enough to hold it. We had no option than to postpone it to 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic took the entire world hostage, as such we could not hold it also last year.
But thank God the pandemic is gradually subsiding and here we are today to glorify God for his goodness.” He disclosed that they had entries from some African countries for this edition, but they (organizers) could not invite these participants due to logistic reasons. “We have resolved to take the awards to their embassies in Nigeria for onward delivery to the recipients”, he said. He called on church leaders, Christian bodies, organizations, as well as individuals to support the ACMA vision of promoting evangelism.
‘We want to use this opportunity to appeal to church leaders, Christian bodies, organizations for support, so that we will sustain the vision; it is a way of promoting evangelism. If people, (Christians inclusive) sponsor projects like big brother, this or that, which corrupts the world, why can’t they support projects such as ACMA, which is trying to promote Christian values and ecumenism”, he said.
According to him, aside the actors and musicians, the organizers will be honouring men and women who distinguished themselves through impacts they have made to individuals and society. “We believe that this honour will spur them to do great exploits to the glory of God. We know that to whom much is given, much is expected”, he stated.
He expressed his gratitude to patron and pillar of support of ACMA, Dr. D.k. Olukoya, General Overseer of M.F.M Worldwide, who made it possible for the organizers to host the 2021 award, through his financial support, Most Rev. (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins, Catholic Bishop of Lagos and Very Rev. Msgr. Bernard Okodua, Parish Priest, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Gbaja, Lagos for their assistance.
The award ceremony which was attended by acts from far and near also saw the investiture of two personalities, namely The Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Emmanuel A. Badejo, the Catholic Bishoip of Oyo Diocese and Prince (Sir) Joseph Robert Olusoji Olagunju (KSG).